The Aerodrome Forum - View Single Post - Different flying characteristics Spad XIII vs SE5a

izstew · 1 April 2008, 06:52 PM

What an amazing forum this is - great replies from all over the world. Thanks to all those who have helped. I must also admit to being surprised by what I have found that from the sources referred to. Before I posted the question here I had in my mind that the Spad Xiii was a bit like the Republic Thunderbolt in the Second World War- a super stable rugged gun platform that could always dive its way out of trouble. I knew the Spad VII was manoeuvrable and had read things about the XIII where pilots were disappointed that some of the manoeuvrability had been traded away for more speed and ruggedness. However there does seem a critical mass of opinion that the Spad XIII climbed better and was more manoeuvrable than the SE5 -- which given the latter's reputation is quite some compliment. The only consistent downside reported on the Spad was the difficulty of flying at low speed where it had a vicious stall.

1 April 2008, 06:52 PM	#7 (permalink)
izstew Observer Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: currently based in Florida keys Posts: 12	Spad v SE5 What an amazing forum this is - great replies from all over the world. Thanks to all those who have helped. I must also admit to being surprised by what I have found that from the sources referred to. Before I posted the question here I had in my mind that the Spad Xiii was a bit like the Republic Thunderbolt in the Second World War- a super stable rugged gun platform that could always dive its way out of trouble. I knew the Spad VII was manoeuvrable and had read things about the XIII where pilots were disappointed that some of the manoeuvrability had been traded away for more speed and ruggedness. However there does seem a critical mass of opinion that the Spad XIII climbed better and was more manoeuvrable than the SE5 -- which given the latter's reputation is quite some compliment. The only consistent downside reported on the Spad was the difficulty of flying at low speed where it had a vicious stall.